Workers Compensation is Crap
As a side story, I was playing a video game version of Jeopardy and a question (answer?) came up where the correct answer (question?) was “Workers Compensation.” The only problem is, this game was created in 1987 and the correct answer of course was “Workman’s Compensation.” This was 1987 after all! When men worked (or at least got compensated for it) while the women folk stayed home and fed the kids. Oh my, how times have changed. Now 20 years later, I am playing an old gaming system (that has been obsolete for 16 of those years) and blogging about it on something called the internet.
So here I am, 20 years later, hating the words “Workers Compensation.” If you have ever had to experience a case, you understand. The cold sweat. The shaky hands. The paranoia. The paranoia is what kills you. Or it kills me at least.
Every time someone around your work says “Ow” or “Ouch,” you over-react like a first time parent. Saying things like “maybe we need to call a doctor” with a minor cut or asking questions like “When was the last time you had you tetanus shot?” You start putting cushions on every single remotely sharp object. No wonder people think we are insane paranoids.
But hear me now and believe me later, it isn’t our fault!
No, it is the system of guilty until proven innocent if you’re an employer. It is the system of ridiculous OSHA requirements. People ask me why I flip out whenever work at home is suggested. Work at home? You mean getting injured at home. I can control the environment to a certain extent here at work but when OSHA is rewarding money based on the fact that somebody got hurt in their home office (often due to their own ridiculous negligence), yeah I am going to freak out.
I think it has to be better in some states but I am sure it isn’t rainbows and ice cream.
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Your HR Guy is a Human Resources Generalist practicing in the field. But don't let that fool you, this isn't a boring blog. I seek relevance and humor in a place we will spend much of our lives. Everything from workplace issues, job seeking and terrible bosses. Read more...
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what you have said has some truth in it. but, i feel that the ones that you are talking about are ones that know how to work the system, and find ways to get out of work if it is just for a short period of time, or a lifetime. the ones of us that do not turn in a accident, are the ones that pay out of our pockets for treatment, because of the thought that when we go to first aid, go to the doctor, everyone is of the opinion that oh it’s nothing or how much do you think you will get? where i work there is a high percent of the ones that use the system. so do not class all of us in one group.
I see both sides on this one. I, like Mari Lou, do not file claims, even for injuries that happened at work. I would rather use the money from my personal wellness account my employer has set up for me, than go through all the B-S of the “system”. But, I LIKE to be a decent person, and that is just not as common as it could/should be.
It seems to be so easy to work the “system”, many people fear Workers Comp. Claims will be used against them. I know I do.
But alas, I gotta agree with My HR Guy, what a crock!
Be smart, be carefull, your employer can’t stop every little thing from causing you pain.
Pay attention, the world is a scary place, at work or not!
*applauds*